Great Falls tribune., 1887-02-19
DEER HUNTING In THE MOUNTAINS
A Hunters Thrilling Account of Alpine
Climbing in Mid Winter In
Search of Deer
Written fer tie Tribune:

Written Jor the Ifa6an6:
On one Of the coldest days Of winter
some years ago, might have been seen
three persons slowly advancing through
the deep snow, one behind another, on an
almost obliterated trail, winding along
over big hills up toward the timbered
mountains beyond. Each of us, for the
writer made one of the party, had a pony,
two of them NEARLY saddled, with rations
and guns tied well down on the sides, while
the third bore light pack, consisting of
blankets, provisions, etc. We were max
ing for a hunting camp belonging to one
of my companions, situated on fine
mountain stream, just where the open
foothills on one side meet the steep, black
timbered mountains on the other. The
distance to be travelled over was not great,
some eight or ten miles, but so slow was
our progress that we lad been on the road
almost five hours before reaching the most
difficult part, a steep canyon that must be
crossed, and that was still a mile from
camp. On the descent the trail was almost
bare of snow and the ponies worked them
selves zigzag and sideways to the bottom
with all the gravity and care demanded in
position where the hind feet are apt to
acquire an elevation far above the head,
and where d single leap might mean bro
ken legs OR possibly loss of life itself
The bottom safely reached they founder
after us through a great pile of dry snow
that almost buries the leader out of sight,
and would puzzle many a larger animal,
and scramble up the opposite side as if
life itself depended on their exertions.
This much safely accomplished, we soon
cross high ridge from which my COM
panions point out to me, far off below US
and scarcely discernable under the tall
pines by the stream, the rude log cabin
that is to be our headquarters during the
hunt. Quickening our steps camp is soon
reached, the horses unsaddled and turned
out, and while one cut wood another
brought water and the third busted him
self with preparations for the coming
meal. We all had appetites, such as are,
quite correctly ascribed to the noble In
dian, and for much the same reason,
presume, as we had eaten nothing since
breakfast and now already the sun was
casting great shadows far above US on the
mountains to the eastward.
After everything is arranged outside for
the night, and before the meal is quite
ready, there still remains few moments
during which we will look about at our
surroundings. The water of the stream,
now everywhere frozen over, except on
the swiftest rifles, flows with half smoth-
cred murmur, within a rod Or SO of the
cabin door. Just across great walls OF
limestone rise abruptly to height of six or
seven hundred feet with faces broken By
various terraces or cut sharply through by
deep canyons. Wherever opportunity Of
fered, pines and spruces arose singly or in
clusters, presenting many shades of green,
and softening into beauty, the naked out
lines of the rock. On this side the land
rises gradually from the cabin for several
hundred yards, to ledges edged and rock
walls and thick groves of pine, that with
the stream itself almost enclose some six
or eight acres of opening, the whole form
ing as picturesque camping grounds as
could be desired But the cold is 100 Sc
we're to remain long outside without exer-
else and we hasten indoors where blaz-
inc fire and hot meal await US. Hunger
and the dishes cleared away,
guns are examined and wiped out, shells
loaded and various preparations made in
of the morrow's sport
We 20 to bed rather early. Bunks are
built on one side of the room, the boards
covered thickly with small spruce limbs
arranged, and on these buffalo
robes and blankets are spread, making
most comfortable sleeping quarters. Get
ting up about daylight the next morning,
mot very early at this season of the Year,
breakfast is soon over and we prepare for
the days hunt. The feet are well protect |
ed and good warm mittens are worn on
the hands. The body is not encumbered |
with heavy coats, trusting to exercise to |
keep that warm. For the first day, all |
keep pretty well together, ascending |
along ridge that runs back several miles
from camp toward heavily timbered
peak. The rosy hues of early morning
still linger on some of the more distant
mountains tops, nearer great areas of white
snow glisten and sparkle in the cold glare